The time has come for the government of Israel – its Prime
Minister and Knesset – to pronounce in clear terms that the Chief Rabbinate
will no longer have a monopoly on religious dictates of the State. This will
present challenges. But these challenges pale in comparison to a coercive and
centralized system which is vulnerable to abuse. As the motto goes, power corrupts,
absolute power corrupts absolutely.

It’s only in the spirit of openness that Israel as a Jewish
democracy will thrive. It’s in that framework that Israel’s citizenry will be
able to reach higher heights – spiritually and religiously.